For more than a decade, NBC, Telemundo and animal lovers across the country have come together to help shelter pets find the loving homes they deserve. Since launching in 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped more than 1.3 million animals get adopted nationwide, making it one of the most successful pet adoption campaigns in the country.
Now, we’re excited to kick off Clear the Shelters 2026, running Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, and we’re hoping to make this our biggest year yet.
In 2025 alone, more than 160,000 pets found new families during the campaign. With your help, we can save even more lives this year.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a new best friend, volunteer your time or simply share information about animals in need, every action helps. Together, we can make a difference for homeless pets across Chicagoland and beyond.
What Is Clear the Shelters?
Clear the Shelters is an annual nationwide pet adoption and fundraising campaign dedicated to helping animals in shelters and rescues find permanent homes. Throughout August, participating organizations host adoption events, special promotions and community activities to encourage pet adoption and support local animal welfare efforts.
If you’ve been considering adding a furry family member to your home, this is the perfect time to visit a participating shelter and meet pets looking for a second chance.
When Is Clear the Shelters 2026?
The 2026 campaign runs from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. Many shelters will host special adoption events throughout the month, with additional activities planned during the final weeks of the campaign.
Be sure to check with individual shelters for their hours of operation, available pets and adoption requirements before visiting.
How Do I Adopt a Pet During Clear the Shelters?
Each shelter has its own adoption process. Browse the list of participating Chicago-area shelters below and click on their website for information about available pets, adoption fees, applications and event details.
Whether you’re looking for a dog, cat, rabbit or another companion animal, there’s a pet waiting for a loving home.
Not Ready to Adopt?
You can still make a huge impact.
Animal shelters and rescue organizations rely on donations to provide food, medical care, shelter, enrichment and lifesaving services for thousands of animals each year. Even a small contribution can help support their work and improve the lives of pets waiting for adoption.
If adopting isn’t an option right now, consider donating, fostering, volunteering or sharing the campaign on social media to help more animals find homes.
Find Your New Best Friend
Check out the full list of participating Chicago-area shelters below and join us in making Clear the Shelters 2026 a success. Together, we can help even more pets find the safe, loving homes they deserve.
Below is the full list of Chicago-area shelter participants:
4 Greyhound Racers
12 Primrose Lane, Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 501-3533
4 Paw Sake Rescue
2739 Glenwood Dyer Road, Lynwood, IL 60411
(708) 757-6119
4 Paws 4 U 4 Ever
29 W 150 Roosevelt Road, West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 258-9219
Anderson Humane
1000 S LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 697-2880
Animal Care League
1011 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 848-8155
Anti-Cruelty
157 W Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 644-8338
Border Tails Rescue
2975 Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 813-5774
Cat Tastrophe Charities
170 West Oak Street Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 925-4535
CatNap from the Heart
1101 Beach Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 220-9274
Chicago Animal Care and Control
2741 South Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 728-0423
Chicago Rescue Authority
5519 West Henderson Street, Chicago, IL 60641
(989) 737-8455
Community Animal Rescue Effort, Inc. (C.A.R.E.)
4927 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 705-2653
Determined to Rise Animal Foundation
10000 N Road, Manteno, IL 60950
(779) 324-2565
Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society
317 S Ardmore, Villa Park, IL 60181
(630) 640-4924
Heartland Animal Shelter
586 Palwaukee Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 296-6400
Hooved Animal Humane Society
10804 McConnell Road, Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 337-5563
Humane Indiana
421 45th Street, Munster, IN 46321
(219) 922-3811
Hyde Park Cats
5201 South Kenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615
(914) 523-7814
Kankakee County Animal Control
134 Mooney Drive, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
(815) 937-2949
Kankakee County Humane Society
2214 Illinois 1, Saint Anne, IL 60964
(815) 933-5999
Kendall County Animal Control
802 John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560
(630) 553-9256
Kitties For Keeps Rescue, Inc. NFP
Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 887-8337
Lakeshore Paws Inc.
4611 Evans Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 476-7297
Linda’s Magnificent Mutts
755 North Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 703-5047
Love Your More Animal Rescue
29 W 516 East Wilson Street, West Chicago 60185
(331) 300-9737
McHenry County Animal Control
100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
224-769-0083
OPERATION Patriot Paws NFP
Manteno, IL 60950
(708) 870-6380
Orphans of the Storm
2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015
(847) 945-0235
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue
829 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
(773) 402-9838
PAWS Chicago
1997 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-7297
Pet Central Helps!
360 Wylie Drive, Suite 720, Normal, IL 61761
(309) 846-9534
Pet Refuge, Inc.
4626 South Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 231-1122
Porter County Animal Shelter
3355 Bertholet Boulevard, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 465-3550
Rover Rescue Inc
326 Sharon Lane, North Aurora, IL 60542
(630) 897-7454
Ruby Whiskers Animal Rescue NFP
12261 Walker Road, Lemont, IL 60439
(815) 552-0572
Saving Animals In Need (SAIN) Rescue
1447 Beaumont Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103
(630) 517-9276
SAYv Animal Organization
1147 Brook Forest Avenue, Shorewood, IL 60404
(630) 723-9553
St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines
525 West Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
(847) 773-7639
The Humane Society of Hobart, Inc.
Saint Road 130, Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 689-3226
The Kitty Squad, Inc.
1147 Brook Forest Avenue Suite 21, Shorewood, IL 60404
(815) 406-0268
Touched by an Animal
2131 W. Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 728-6336
Treasured Friends Inc
320 Woodmar Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 381-8562
Underdog Railway Rescue
520 North Emroy Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 863-5328
Winnebago County Animal Services
4517 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 319-4127
Woof Pack Dog Rescue
745 Plymouth Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
(847) 558-9821
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